REPRESENTATION OVERSEAS

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24226, 6 April 1944, Page 6

REPRESENTATION OVERSEAS

CHANGES ANNOUNCED MR BARCLAY TO GO TO CANBERRA (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, April 5. Changes in New Zealand’s representation overseas were announced today by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser). “It is probable that the Hon. W. Nash will return to New Zealand, and in consequence,” said Mr Fraser, "Mr C. A. Berendsen, C.M.G., now High Commissioner for New Zealand in Australia, is to become New Zealand Minister in Washington, and Mr J. G. Barclay has been appointed High Commissioner to take his place at Canberra. “The temporary nature of Mr Nash’s duties in Washington has always been understood, and, following upon important discussions, both in the United Kingdom and the United States, it is necessary for him to return to his Ministerial duties and deal with them and other matters here in New Zealand. "I cannot pay too high a tribute to the work Mr Nash has performed for New Zealand in Washington, where his most valuable mission has been carried out with such conspicuous success. “From my own personal experience of Mr Berendsen’s work here and overseas, I feel that at the present time there is no man available who is better qualified to fill the responsible and exacting office of New Zealand Minister at Washington, and to maintain and develop those valuable contacts initiated by Mr Nash. “As Imperial Affairs Officer and a former secretary of Internal Affairs, Secretary to the War Cabinet, and Permanent Head of the Prime Minister’s Department, Mr Berendsen has had long and intimate experience with New Zealand’s external affairs. He has attended all Imperial Conferences since 1926, and the League of Nations Assembly on a number of occasions. He also accompanied Mr Jordan to Geneva’, when this country took its seat on the League Council. Mr Berendsen is respected both here and overseas as much for his personality as for his outstanding ability. He will undoubtedly be as greatly respected in Washington as he has been in Canberra. “Mr Barclay is likewise well qualified for the post to which he has been appointed. As a practical farmer, and as Minister of Lands, Agriculture, and Marketing, he knew closely the problems of New Zealand’s primary production, both in its and policy aspects. Primary production is the basis of New Zealand’s economy, and governs much o' the Dominion’s relations with other countries, and particularly with Australia, where the problems are so similar. “Upon this background of experience, Mr Barclay gained as a member of the Cabinet a full understanding of the point of view of the New Zealand Government. Knowledge of this will be valuable in this country’s co-opera-tion with Australia.” appointment welcomed IN AUSTRALIA (N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) (Rec. 12.30 a.m.) CANBERRA, April 5. The Australian Government cordially welcomed the appointment of Mr Barclay as the New Zealand High Commissioner to Australia in plac~ of Mr Berendsen. said the Attorney-Gen-eral (Dr. H.V.Evatt). Mr Barclay had an extensive farmer experience and this undoubtedly would enable him to make a particularly valuable contribution to the development of the economic collaboration between . the two countries provided for in the Austra-lia-New Zealand agreement. Paying tribute to Mr Berendsen, Dr. Evatt said he had seemed a most active and enthusiastic representative, and had done outstanding work in establishing and developing the office of the High Commissioner for New Zealand. He had also made an important contribution to the success of the Australia-New Zealand cbnference and to the establishment of the secretariat set up at Canberra in accordance with the agreement. That secretariat was working smoothly and effectively. The Government extended to Mr Berendsen hearty wishes for every success in his new post at Washington.